Kurugram, Oct 10 (V7N)- Water levels in the Brahmaputra River have begun to rise due to heavy upstream flow, causing widespread flooding in Chilmari, Kurigram. The rising water has already submerged hundreds of acres of arable land, devastating local agriculture and eroding significant areas of farmland along the riverbank. In recent days, at least 100 individual agricultural plots and the homes of five families have been lost to the river, leaving many more at risk as erosion continues.

According to the Department of Agriculture, 122 hectares of Aman paddy land in the low-lying areas of Chilmari have been submerged. Farmers in the region are struggling to cope as the river continues to rise, threatening further damage to crops and livelihoods.

As of Thursday afternoon, water at the Chilmari point of the Brahmaputra River was recorded at 153 cm below the danger level, with predictions indicating the water may continue to rise for at least another day, according to the Kurigram Water Development Board’s control room.

Severe erosion is also reported in the Shakhahati and Karaibrishal areas of Chilmari Union, where farmland has been swept away by the advancing river. Over 100 individual plots, along with the homes of several families, have already disappeared into the river. Additionally, the floodwaters have inundated approximately 800 units of Aman paddy in Amtali Char and neighboring areas, jeopardizing the harvest.

Local resident Maidul Islam shared his distress, noting, "The Brahmaputra has been eroding land for a few days now. More than a hundred single cultivated plots have already been swallowed by the river, and rising water has submerged about 800 units of Aman paddy in our fields."

In response, Kumar Pranoy Bishan Das, the Upazila Agriculture Officer, assured that the authorities will soon compile a list of affected farmers. He also promised that the government will provide seeds and fertilizers as part of an incentive package to help the farmers recover from their losses.

The flooding poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of the people in the region, and local authorities are working to mitigate the impact of the rising river.

END/RI/AJ